Having a shed on your property can be very useful because of how the shed has a lot of practical purposes. It can serve as storage for your tools and equipment as well as a workspace that you can use when you are doing DIY projects.
In that regard, you usually have to choose between a wooden shed and a metal shed whenever you want to have a shed on your property. But why should you get a wooden shed over a metal shed?
Wooden sheds are a lot better than metal sheds because they look great and are the best when it comes to overall aesthetic appeal. On top of that, wooden sheds can easily be customizable. You will also love the fact that wooden sheds are better at handling extreme temperatures than metal sheds.
There is a reason why most of the sheds you see are actually wooden sheds. While metal sheds do have their own advantages over wooden sheds, there really is nothing like a metal shed especially when it comes to the overall appeal of a wooden shed. As such, when you are looking to construct a shed on your property, it is always better to go with a metal shed.
What are the pros and cons of a wooden shed?
One of the best investments you can have on your property is a shed. That’s because wooden sheds are not only effective at increasing your property’s overall value but are also amazing at giving you the storage space you need for your different tools and equipment. On top of that, you could also use your shed as a workspace for your daily DIY projects.
But, when it comes to the different types of sheds that you can have, there are a lot of shed materials that you can use. One of the most popular types of sheds is wooden sheds, which are made of different types of wood, of course.
So, when you are choosing different shed types, you need to decide which shed is the best for you. That’s why it is best to look at the pros and cons of a wooden shed before you decide that this is the best shed type for you.
Pros
- They are the Best in Looks
The first thing you need to know about wooden sheds is that these are the sheds that look the best when compared to all of the other types of sheds. There is no denying the fact that wooden sheds are downright aesthetically appealing and are by far a lot better in terms of looks compared to other shed types such as metal sheds.
As simple as it sounds, there are plenty of advantages that you can get if you have a good-looking wooden shed on your property. Wooden sheds can instantly make your property a lot better than it usually is.
On top of that, wooden sheds can even increase the value of your property because of how aesthetically pleasing they are.
So, if the appearance of the shed is your top consideration when choosing a shed material, then there is no question that wooden sheds should be at the top of your list. And the best part is that there are plenty of different types of wood that you can use for your shed depending on which among them you find the most pleasing in appearance.
- Easy to Customize
On top of how amazing wooden sheds are in terms of their appearance, another reason why you might want to go for a wooden shed is the fact that these sheds are easily customizable depending on your personal preferences.
That’s because wooden sheds have walls that you can easily paint or stain depending on what kind of look you want for your shed you prefer.
You also have to consider the fact that wooden sheds allow you to alter certain parts a lot easier. It is a lot easier to add a second floor to your wooden shed compared to other shed types such as metal sheds.
You will also find that extending a wooden shed is easier compared to metal sheds.
This is why, if you are planning on altering or customizing your shed in the future depending on your budget, wooden sheds are the best. You can’t say the same about plastic or metal sheds, which aren’t the easiest to customize.
- Wider Design Varieties
While we did say that wooden sheds are the best in terms of visual appeal and are the most customizable types of sheds, what you should also know is that there are a lot of different wooden shed designs that you can choose from. That’s because the varieties are simply endless when it comes to wooden sheds.
Your wooden shed design can vary depending on a lot of different factors such as wood type, size, shape, and color. That’s because wood is easier to shape depending on your preferences and specifications.
On top of that, there are plenty of different types of wood that you can choose from depending on the design your preference.
In comparison, other shed types such as metal sheds usually come in simpler designs that more or less look the same. That isn’t something that you can say about the wooden sheds, which are really just the best in terms of overall design varieties.
- Very Strong and Durable
When it comes to different types of sheds, you can never discount the importance of the strength and durability of a shed. That’s because a shed is an investment that should be able to last for a very long time or else you would only end up spending more money in the future to construct a new shed.
In that regard, wooden sheds are just as strong and durable as any other shed out there. These sheds can withstand tough weather conditions and are capable of surviving the effects of the elements.
As long as you did your part in making sure that you weatherproof your wooden shed, expect that it will be able to withstand the elements.
As such, because of how durable and long-lasting wooden sheds are, these sheds can easily last for up to 20 or more years especially if you did your part in weatherproofing them and maintaining them the right way.
This isn’t something that you can get out of other shed types that may be strong and durable but are not as long-lasting.
- Can Withstand Extreme Temperatures
One of the purposes of having a shed on your property is to use it as a workspace whenever you are working on DIY projects that require the use of tools and heavy equipment. You can also use your shed to store the tools and equipment that you need to use for your DIY projects.
In that regard, your shed must be a comfortable place for you to work in regardless of whatever season it may be.
So, whenever summer and winter come along, the problem with other sheds is that they are not capable of withstanding the extreme temperatures that come with these seasons.
For example, even when properly ventilated, a metal shed can still feel like an oven in the summer because of how well metal holds on to heat. On top of that, metal sheds can also feel very cold during the winter.
Meanwhile, wooden sheds are better at withstanding extreme weather conditions because wood doesn’t conduct heat very well. As such, summers are better when you are working in a wooden shed.
And even if you need to work in your shed during winter, a wooden shed is also effective at keeping cold temperatures out of the shed as long as you make sure that it is properly ventilated.
- There are plenty of Wooden Shed Builders
Regardless of where you live, there are plenty of different wooden shed builders that specialize in building the best wooden sheds. This is especially true if there is a good supply of high-quality wood in your area.
What this ultimately means for you is that it is easier to find a builder that’s capable of building a high-quality wooden shed that you can be sure is made to be sturdy and long-lasting.
You can take your pick among some of the best builders in your area as you can feel confident knowing that they are going to give you a good wooden shed as long as you know that they have the reputation and the manpower necessary to build the best wooden shed your budget can afford.
Cons
- Susceptible to Rot and Mold
Even though we did say that wooden sheds are very durable and long-lasting, the problem with them is that they are made of organic materials that can easily rot when exposed to too much moisture.
This is true when you didn’t do your part in making sure that your shed was protected from rot and excess moisture.
So, if you actually rested on your laurels and left your wooden shed alone without painting it or without installing a good drainage system, the most likely outcome is that it will rot in no time when exposed to too much rainwater and snow.
This means that the shed won’t last very long and will eventually wear down due to rot and mold.
- Requires Waterproofing
The most obvious thing you need to do first after constructing a wooden shed in your backyard is to waterproof it. That’s because, again, wood is susceptible to water damage such as rot and mold. On top of that, you can also end up with leaks in your shed if you don’t do your part in waterproofing it.
This means that you may need to install a drainage system to waterproof your shed. Gutters can also be quite useful when it comes to redirecting the water that falls off the roof.
On top of that, you also need to layer your shed with a coat of paint or wood stain to further protect the wooden material from water damage.
- Requires Maintenance
Another thing you need to understand about wooden sheds is that these sheds require periodic maintenance, so you need to make sure that you clean the gutters and the drainage system to minimize the chances of the shed getting damaged.
This means that you just can’t leave the shed to stand as you need to clean it up and do some repairs whenever they are necessary.
On top of regularly cleaning your wooden shed and repairing any damage you may find on it, it is also important that you re-paint or re-apply wood stain on it whenever you notice that its exterior is fading.
As such, it is very important that you make sure that you regularly check on your wooden shed and inspect it whenever possible so that you can quickly remedy any possible issues regarding the shed.
Of course, you also need to make sure that you do your part in cleaning the shed.
- Critters and Insects
Because wooden sheds are made from organic materials, they are more likely to attract critters and insects that may want to make a home out of your shed. This is due in large part to how different types of animals and insects are naturally attracted to anything that’s made of wood.
And when you are not careful in keeping critters and insects out, they can actually damage the shed.
The good news is that there are plenty of different types of wood that are naturally insect resistant.
This will help keep insects away from your shed but you should still do your part in making sure that your shed is kept free from excess moisture and dirty because these can still naturally attract different kinds of insects and critters.
- Price
Finally, wooden sheds may look nice but they are quite expensive when compared to metal sheds. This is due in large part to the fact that high-quality wood is pretty expensive.
And when you go for cheaper types of wood, you will only be compromising the durability and longevity of your shed.
As such, wooden sheds are only best for those who can truly afford high-quality wooden sheds. If you can’t afford a high-quality wooden shed, it is best to go for other shed types instead because they are usually more affordable. Still, if you can afford a wooden shed, go for it.
Are there any advantages that metal sheds have?
While we did say that wooden sheds have a lot of advantages over other types of sheds, you might still want to check out metal sheds.
Metal sheds are also great to have on your property especially if you can’t afford a wooden shed or if a wooden shed is not the best choice for the place you live in. But are there any real advantages to choosing a metal shed other than their price?
For one, metal sheds are just as durable and even more durable than wooden sheds. These sheds can withstand a lot of environmental conditions and are great against different types of externalities that can damage cheaper and less-durable sheds.
There are even metal sheds that are more durable than wooden sheds.
As such, you can expect metal sheds to last for a very long time and even longer than other wooden sheds. You are essentially getting the bang for your buck when you go for metal sheds, especially because of how durable and long-lasting these sheds are.
Expect metal sheds to last for more than 20 years as long as they are made using high-quality workmanship.
Metal sheds are also easier to maintain because they practically need no other maintenance aside from regular cleaning. They don’t require the same kind of regular maintenance that wooden sheds need because metal sheds are generally fine without the need for you to maintain them. Of course, you still need to clean metal sheds.
Excess moisture is also a top enemy for metal sheds but they are not as prone to moisture damage compared to wooden sheds. When you are using a high-quality metal material that is resistant to rust and stains, you can have a metal shed that can withstand rainwater and snow better than wooden sheds.
Some metal sheds, due to the quality of the metal material used to build them, don’t even need paint to act as a protective coating against excess moisture.
And even when you need to have repairs done on your metal shed, these repairs are more or less very easy and affordable compared to the repairs that you have to do for your wooden shed. You can just simply patch up small holes on a metal shed.
There are also metal sheds that are more accessible because they are basically DIY sheds that you only need to assemble yourself. You can buy them in stores or order them online.
These sheds are not as good as the ones that need to be constructed but they give you the convenience that you need if you simply just want to have a shed that you can assemble on your own without the need to pay someone to build one for you.
Why is a wooden shed better than a metal shed?
Even though there are some advantages that metal sheds have over wooden sheds and even though wooden sheds do have their disadvantages, the fact of the matter is that wooden sheds are still superior in a lot of different ways compared to metal sheds.
Metal sheds are downright ugly and unappealing when compared to the aesthetic appeal that comes with wooden sheds. Your metal shed, no matter how well you paint it, won’t be as appealing as a wooden shed that doesn’t even need paint or wood stain to look better than a metal shed.
Both wooden sheds and metal sheds are also very durable and long-lasting. However, the problem with metal sheds is that they seem a lot flimsier due to how light metal sheets are.
Metal sheds are not as sturdy as wooden sheds, particularly because how they lack the foundation and the weight to hold them down. As such, a small hurricane may be more than enough to blow away a metal shed.
In relation to how sturdy wooden sheds are, they are easier to secure compared to metal sheds. Anyone who is strong enough may be able to open a metal shed through force because of how flimsy some metal sheds are.
As such, if you are looking to secure something important inside your shed, a wooden shed is the better and more secure option for you.
Even though metal sheds are not prone to rot, they are prone to rust. Metal sheds will easily rust if you do not do your part in keeping excess moisture out of the shed. And when metal sheds begin to show rust, they will lose whatever appeal and durability they may have.
That’s not something that you can say about wooden sheds, which may be prone to rot but not rust.
Finally, wooden sheds are very customizable. That means that you can have a wooden shed built based on your own specifications and preferences in terms of size, shape, color, wood type, and design.
This isn’t something that you could do with metal sheds, which usually come with the standard run-of-the-mill rectangular design that is quite common.
For who is a wooden shed?
Basically, wooden sheds can be for everyone because how they are very versatile and are the best in terms of overall design variety and utilitarian purposes. These sheds can benefit anyone willing to put up a shed on their property.
Wooden sheds are best for those who prioritize aesthetic appeal more than the other factors and considerations when it comes to choosing a shed. That’s because wooden sheds are visually appealing and can make any yard or property look a lot better.
You can easily customize them yourself and use them for a lot of different purposes.
However, do keep in mind that wooden sheds are far more expensive than metal sheds. You’d have to spend a lot of money (somewhere north of a thousand dollars) to have a good wooden shed made of high-quality materials.
On top of that, you’d have to spend extra on the paint/stain, drainage system, and waterproofing. This means that you should only go for a wooden shed if your budget can afford it because going for a cheaper wooden shed option might compromise the quality of the shed.
